Effect of Combination of Reducing the Dose of NPK Fertilizer from the Recommended Dose and Providing Peptides and Seed Treatment with Golden Grow on Yield Growth and Yield Quality (Zea mays L.)

Corn plants are one of the food crops as a source of carbohydrates besides rice. The fertilization process is very important for plant growth and development. Fertilizers that are widely used by farmers include NPK fertilizers. This study aims to find the best seed soaking method that can increase the growth, yield and quality of corn yields, to determine the combination of a percentage reduction in the dose of NPK fertilizer from the recommended dose and the provision of peptides that do not reduce the growth, yield, and quality of corn yields, the interaction between seed soaking with a combination of reduced doses of NPK fertilizer and the provision of peptides that can increase growth, yield and quality of corn yields. The study used a split plot Randomized Group Design (RAK) with the main treatment, namely a reduction in the dose of NPK fertilizer consisting of 5 levels, namely Fertilization with NPK fertilizer according to the recommended dose without Keratine Hydrolizate peptide (KHP), The dose of NPK fertilizer is reduced by 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% of the recommended dose.

+ KHP, The results of this study can show differences in seed soaking can increase growth yield, and quality of corn yield. Application of Golden Grow by soaking gave the highest growth of plant height, number of leaves, stem diameter, leaf chlorophyll content, relative water content, cob length, seed weight at 14% moisture content per plant, percentage of kernels, and weight per kernel. Percentage reduction of NPK fertilizer dose up to 20% accompanied by peptide application did not reduce yield as well. The combination of fertilization treatment according to the recommended dose with seed soaking using Golden Grow and the farmer's way gave the highest results on leaf color variables.